HAVING escaped, for the time being at least, from the wrath of his backbenchers, Boris Johnson now says he wants to get on and deliver on the people’s priorities.

One of those priorities should be the Renters’ Reform Bill, which was announced in the Queen’s Speech – as a similar proposal has been in the three previous Queen’s Speeches without anything reaching the statute book.

The Bill contains many good ideas that should address some of the concerns of the growing number of people who are being evicted from privately rented accommodation, as we report today.

It will, for instance, forbid the Section 21 evictions, which give renters just days to leave their family homes – how it will prevent unscrupulous landlords jacking up the rent so they can evict their tenants for non-payment instead remains to be seen.

It should create a landlords’ register, where tenants can see the credentials of the person they hope to be renting from – and where landlords can show how they look after their tenants.

It may also create a renters’ ombudsman so disputes can be settled in a less formal setting than the courts.

And it should prevent public money being paid in rent for accommodation is sub-standard.

Since the country’s stock of social housing began to shrink in the 1980s, the private sector has become vital in housing the people of this country. Landlords play a very valuable role, but, as we show today, tenants, who are often vulnerable, can still be treated badly. The Government should get this reform done.